Vending machine



March 22, 192?. 1,621,960

D. H. STEWART ET AL VENDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 1923 '4, Sheets-Sheet l[J 2 gkearge W [Iii/5,

u I #3 Z 525 ATTORNEY March 22, 1927. 1,621,960

D. H. STEWART ET AL VENDING MACHINE Fi lgd Dec. 1923 '4 Sheets-Sheet 2I? m a v 0 Z Z v 72 7 75 74 j; J2 -77 j 9 High. '7

,5 54 g; 67 y x Z 2/ 44 if 5/ a5 4; 4 I 65 I 4% 44 j; 42 45 42 4/ 4 7//J 'F A 4/ 12 4 Tjiq.

I OR ZH. Jfewarf ATTORNEY March 22 1927.

D. H. STEWART ET AL VENDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 5ATTORNEY 1,621, March 1927' D. H. STEWART ET AL 960 VENDING MACHINEFiled Dec. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 1/ 25 8 ii 8| may 14 g M J6 /06 r 5: 77jpg ./07 I 04 -/0/ 2 10/ J 2 i a4 ZJ r a I 005 I Ag 95 B 5 INVENTORZak/'0 if. 5' 5 A): F I v 1163/50,

d; ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 22, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT. oF.F 1 cE.-'

DAVID E. STEWART AND GEORGE W. NELSON, OI KENT, OHIO, ASSIGHOBI 'llO mu!MACHINE 00., 0F KENT, OHIO.

VENDING MACHINE.

Application filed December 14, 1923. Serial 801680387.

The invention generally relates to vending machines and moreparticularly to that class of such machines which are adapted to beplaced upon street corners, in hotels, railwaystations, or other publicplaces for mechanically vending newspapers, magazines or otherperiodicals.

The invention has for its object to rovide a machinepf the class statedwhic is of simple and inexpensive construction and simple and ositive inits function of vending the articles contained therein; and in whichmeans is provided for compensating for variations in sizes of eachparticular issue of the articles to be vended, that perfectness ofoperation of the machine be assured under all conditions.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further residesin those novel details of construction, combination and arrangement ofparts, all of which will be first fully described, then be particularlypointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine in use. v

Figure 2 is a cross sectionthereoit on the line 2-2 on Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section on the line 3-3 on Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a horizontal section on the line 4.--4 on Figure 2. I

Figure 5 is a detail cross section illustrating the manner in which thedischarge throatway is adjusted.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the roller guard and guide plate.

Figure 7 1s a vertical section through one of the pivoted end guides forthe presser follower devices.

Figure 8 is a horizontal section on the line 8-8 on Figure 7 andillustrates the manner in which the presser follower may adjust itselfto the shape of the paper pack.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic face view illustrating the movement of thetoggles and frame for effecting the retracting of the presser followerfrom action.

Figure 10 is a vertical section taken through the coin control mechanismhousing looking in the direction of the casing, the parts being shown inthe refill position.

Figure 11 is a detail cross section illustrating the lock devices forthe coin control housing door.

Figure 12 is a detail horizontal section illustrating the manner ofsecuring the coin control housing to the machine casing.

Figure 13 is a vertical cross section taken through the coin controlhousing looking in the direction opposite that in Figure 10.

Figure 14 is a vertical section on the line 14-14 on Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a detail perspective view of themain casting of the coincontrol mechamsm.

Figure 16 is a detail plan view illustratlng the means for adjustlng thecoin slotway of the housing to receive certain coins onl In thedrawings, in which like numera of reference indicate like parts in allof the figures, the casing of our improved newspaper vending machine isillustrated as comprislng side plates 1, which are provided with frontflanges 2, a rear wall 3 which includes side flanges 4 through the medum of which the said rear wall is secured in cooperative relation withthe side walls 1, a front cover plate 5 which is removabl securedadjacent the bottom of each ont flange 2 through the. medium of key slotand stud connections 6 and fixedly secured at a point intermediate theheight of the said flanges 2, as at 7. A suitable door 8 is hinged tothe front cover plate, as at 9, to adapt the same to be swung downwardlyto facilitate the ready refilling of a newspaper pack into the machinein the manner later to be described.

A top cover 10 is also provided and is t 1 hingedly secured incooperation with i the casing, as at 11, to adapt the same to be swungupwardly with relation thereto, to

also facilitate the ready refilling of the machine and adjustment ofsuch mechani thereof as may be necessary. A hasp is secured to the door8 in position for coand rain 'and' for aidin in holding the hinged door8 to its closed gosition.

The casing of the ven ing machine is closed at its bottom, againstdampness or interference with the mechanism, by a bottom cover plate 17which has the drop flanges of its side and rear edges secured to theside walls 1 and the rear wall 3, as clearly illustrated in Figures 2and 3 of the drawings.

Within the casing and elevated a suitable distance from the bottomthereof as will be apparent from Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing, a packreceiving plate 18 is positioned for cooperating with the sides 1, therear wall 3, a portion of the front wall 5, and the door 8 in providinga storage compartment 19 for the newspapers or other periodicals to bevended from the machine.

A curved guide plate 20 is also provided which has its free endprojected up and under the drop flan e 21 of the plate 18 for acting asa suitafile guide trough for the newspaper being discharged from themachine and cooperative with that flange in a manner soon to bedescribed. This guide plate includes a turned back flange 22 which isadapted to be fitted over the front edge of the bottom plate 17, as isclearly indicated in Figure 2 of the drawings, and to be clam ed to theposition there indicated by the anged clamp plate 23 and through themedium of the clamp screws 24 which pass through the said plate 23, theflange 22, and into the front edge of the said bottom plate 17.

By reference to Figures 1 and 2, it will be apparent that each sideplate 1 has a forward extension at the bottom portion thereof, and,together with the similarly shaped portions ward casing extensionadapted to accommodate the feed roller 25 which forms the principal partof the newspaper delivery mechanism. This roller 25 may be a cylinder ofwood, or any suitable material, and includes shaft portions 26 forforming trunnion bearings for the said cylinder in the bearings 27secured upon each of the side walls 1, and one of these shaft portions26 is preferably extended through its adjacent side wall 1, as at 28,for a purpose later to be described.

The feeding or delivery roller 25 has mounted thereupon, at suitableintervals, (see Figure 4) encircling bands 29 of rubber or othersuitable material and which are studded with feeding brads or pins 30adapted, when the roller 25. is rotated in a manner later to bedescribed, to engage the adjacent newspaper and effect a dischargingthereof from the machine in an effective manner but without damagethereto, as will later appear.

A roller guard plate 31 is provided and is formed to include a flange 32adapted to be the front wall form a forsecured to the bottom ends of thefront flanges 2, as at 33, in such manner that said plate 31 will be inposition for cooperating with the guide plate in providing a suitabledischarge throatway through which the newspaper being vended may freelypass, see Figure 2. The plate 31 also includes out out portions 34adapted to straddle each band 29 upon the roller and the upper ends ofeach solid portion formed between the cut out portions 34 includes arearwardly turned flange 35' adapted to engage and be supported by theforwardly projecting flange of the cross bar 36 secured at 37 t0 thefront flanges 2 of the side walls 1.

By reference to Figure 2, it will be observed that the relativepositioning of the roller 25 and the newspaper pack receiving plate 18are such that they cooperate in providing a discharge throatwa 38therebetween, and the plate 18 is sli ably mounted in the oppositecorner slide guides 39 in a manner whereby the throatway 38 may beincreased or diminished in width to adapt the machine to perfectness ofoperation in cooperation with the varied thicknesses of respectiveissues of the newspaper or other periodical that the machine is designedto vend.

A rock shaft 40 is provided and has suitable trunnion bearin at itsends, as at 41, in the side walls 1 and cranks 42 are secured to rockwith this shaft through the medium of the set screws clearly illustratedin Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, and these cranks extend upwardly andare pin and fork connected as at 43 with dependent lugs 44 stamped andturned down from the plate 18 so that when the said shaft 40 is rockedthe plate 18 will be moved forwardly or rearwardly in its guides 39 foreffecting a decreasing or increasing of the width of the dischargethroatway 38.

Another crank 45 is secured upon the rock shaft 40 through the medium ofthe set screw shown, and this latter crank extends rearwardly of thatshaft. The plate 18 is provided with a hole 46 through which and throughthe apertures left by the stamping and turning down of the lugs 44 theset screws which screw the cranks 42 and 45 upon the shaft 40 may betightened when necessary for ensuring perfect functioning of the partsor for adjusting the crank positions should it be necessary.

For rocking the shaft 40 to efl'ect the regulation of the throatway 38in simple and effective manner, the crank 45, hereinbeforc referred to,is extended rearwardly to a point adjacent the rear wall 3 where it ispivotally connected. with a link arm 47 which extends upwardly foroooperation with an operating lever 48, pivoted at 49 upon the rear wall3 and to which the said nesneoo link 47 is pivotally connected, theconnection being such as will provide a convenient knob 50 which may begrasped by the operator in eflecting adjustment of the devices.

An arc plate 51 is secured to the rear wall 3, I

ed to project into the respective ones of the notches 52 for indicatingthe width of the throatway 38 and for holding the said lever to itsparticular adjustment, it being understood, of course, that the lever 48is soiliciently flexible to permit a flexing of the indieatin portion 54forwardly out of the respective notch 52 so that it may be moved to anynotch for cooperating therewith, as hereinbefore described. A stop lug55 is provided and serves to prevent such movement of the lever 48 aswould effect a choking of the discharge throatway 38, (see Figures 2and3).

In the machine provision is made for holdin the pack of newspapers, orother periodieals to be vended, in a vertical position with their foldededges resting upon the receiving plate 18, as indicated in Figure 2 ofthe drawings, and b experiment it has been found thatin or er to providefor perfectness of operation in vending the papers positively andindividually it is necessary to continuously press the pack of papersforwardly against the delivery roller 25 and to exert that continuouspressure at a point adjaeent the bottom ends of the papers and directlytoward the axis of said roller. It has also been found by experimentthat a pack of newspapers will be much thicker at one end than at theother, due to the folds of the pa er, which difference of thickness willgreat y var in accordance with the size of each portion ar issue, themost appreciable variation being, of course, that variation between adaily issue and the Sunday issue, it being understood that in ourimproved vending machine provision has been made for compensating forall such variations in a manner for ensuring perfect operation of themachine under all such conditions.

To this end a presser follower plate 56 is provided which extends from apoint approximating the plane of the plate 18 to approximately the topof the pack of papers and this plate is preferably very flexible forpermitting a degree of freedom adjacent the top of the paper pack sothat while effectively holding the pack erect, as indicated in Figure 2,the greatest force of the following action will be exerted at a pointadjacent the bottom of the pack so as to be directly against thedelivery roller 25.

The plate 56 is secured to the upright portion of a cross angle bar 57,which said angle bar terminates short of the walls 1 and to each end ofwhich is secured, with the base thereof positioned vertically, an L- shaed member 58, each of which is adapted to t within a U-shaped member 59secured to a guide block 60 slidably mounted upon guide rails 61 securedat 62 to the side walls 1. The members 58 and 59 are pivotally joinedwith each other through the medium of a vertically positioned pivot pinin a manner whereby the presser follower 5657 is slidably mounted uponthe guides 61 and in a manner for provlding for a co1npensation for thevariations of thicknesses throughout the length of the paper pack (seeFigures 2, 7 and 8).

Each block 60 is pin and fork connected as at 63 with the long arm of abell crank lever 6t pivoted at 65 to each sidewall 1, and

sprin s 66, secured at 67 to thepaper pack guard rails 68, which are inturn secured at 69 to each side wall 1, and to desired ones of the studs70 provided on the short arm of the bell crank lever 64, provide fornormally forcing the said resser follower against the pack for app yingcontinuous following and pressing action thereupon.

While the machine is filled With a paper pack and until the lastnewspaper has been exhausted therefrom, the presser follower 56*57 iscontinuously forced against said pack and when the pack has beenexhausted the said resser follower must be forced back, agamst theaction of the spring 66, to a position for permitting a convenientrefilling of the compartment 19 with a new paper pack. For this purposeI have provided a mechanism whereb the operator may so remove thepresser follower from the pressing condition in an effective and simplemanner and whereby the parts will be locked to such position so that hewill in no wise be hindered in the refilling action.

For this purpose, we provide a moving frame composed of side bars 71adapted to be guided y the guide bars 72 secured to the side wall plates1, a top cross bar 73 and a bottom cross bar 74 each secured to the sidebars 71 to form said frame. A moving lever 75 is also provided and ispivoted as at 76 to the rear wall 3, and a link 77 is pivoted at 78 tothe bottom cross bar 74 and at 7 9 to the said lever 75. The lever 75 isalso provided with a handle at the end farthest from the ivot 76 and thetop cross bar 73 is provic ed with a notched portion 80 and, byreference to Figure 3 and to Figures 9 and 10 it will readily beobserved that when the said lever is moved upward on its pivot, asindicated by the arrow on Figure 9, a lifting of the frame through themedium of the link 77 will be effected, and when the lever has beenmoved over to its limit the pivot pin 79 will en age with the notch 80of the cross bar 73 in et't'ectin a stop and a locking of the frame toits a djusted position, (see Figure 9). The side bars 71 are eachprovided with a forwardlyprojecting stud 81, each of which projects intothe mth of a laterally projecting stud 82 secure adjacent the end of theshort arm of each bel crank lever 6d so that when the frame is movedupwardly, as indicated in Figure 10, the studs 81 will engage the studs82 and effect a rocking of the levers 64. to Withdraw the presserfollower 56-57 from its operative position, a locking of the parts tothe retracted position being effected as before described.

By reference to Figure 2 of the drawing,

it will be observed that the ends of the guide rails 61 which aresecured to the side walls 1 adjacent the rear wall 3, form a stop forthe frame and prevent downward movement thereof beyond the pointindicated in Figure 2 by reason of the engagement therewith of the crossbar 74 of said frame.

By reference to Figure 5 it will be observed that the uide plate 20 socooperates with the drop ange of the paper ack re ceiving'plate 18 thatwhen the said plate is adjusted, as illustrated in that figure, the saidguide plate 20 will be moved backward and downward by that drop flangein a manner whereby it will remain in engagement therewith and inposition for still serving its function in guiding the paper beingvended out of the machine, thus making it possible to adjust thethroatway 38 without in an manner effecting the cooperation of thattiiroatway with the guide plates which guide the vended article out ofthe machine.

While it will be possible to operate the machine by merely providin acrank for cooperating with the extended end 28 of the shaft ortion 26 sothat the newspapers might be discharged from the machine by a mererotation of such crank, as might be desirable in fashionable hotels orother public places where literature might be distributed gratis, it is,of course, preferable that operation of the delivery roller 25 beeffected through a coin control mechanism so that each paper would bevended only after the insertion into the machine of coins equaling thevalue of the said paper.

l/Ve have included in our invention the provision of a suitable casingadapted to receive any suitable type of coin controlled mechanism and wehave so constructed this casing and provided the same with a hingeddoor, through which access may be had to the coin controlled mechanism,whereby the said casing cooperates with the main casing of the machinein a manner for effecting a positive and automatic locking of the saidcasing against outside interference when-the said main casing is locked,the construction and arrangement of the parts being such that when themain casing is rendered in condition for refilling the same, the coincontrol casing is automatically unlocked so that the coins whichhavebeen deposited thereinto may be removed and the mechanism adjusted asmay be desired.

Therefore, as a part of our invention, we provide the supplemental orcoin control casing 83, which includes a cover door 84 which is hingedat 85 to the said casing. For providing for the automatic locking andunlocking of this casing in cooperation with the main casing, as abovedescribed, we provide a lock shaft 86, which is positioned within thecasing and provided at its end with trunnion bearin s 87 in the sidewall of the said casing an in the adjacent side wall 1 of the maincasing. The lock shaft 86 is cut out as at 88 to provide a lockingportion adapted to cooperate with the locknotch 89 formed in the lockinglug 90 secured upon the door 84, see Figures 11, 13 and 14.

That trunnion end of the lock shaft 86 which passes through the sidewall 1 of the main casing is slightly extended and has secured thereupona crank arm 91 to which is pivoted the lock operating rod 92, which isguided at 93, at a point upon and adjacent the top of the side wall ofthe main casing, and is spring connected as at 94 so that the rod 92 hasa tendency to position itself, as is illustrated in Figure 10 of thedrawing, or in position for unlocking the supplemental casing door 84,as is there indicated. When, however, the hinged cover 10 of the maincasing is swung down and locked to the position illustrated in Figures 1and 2 of the drawings, the said cover 10 will engage the projected end95 of the rod 92 and force the same downwardly against the tension ofthe spring 94 and in a manner for effecting a rocking of the lock shaft86, through the lever arm 91 and to the position illustrated in Figure11, in which the locked position of the-supplemental casing door 84 isclearly illustrated.

In the drawings, we have disclosed a type of coin controlled. mechanismwhich is adaptable to use in connection with our improved newspapervending machine, but we desire it understood that the said mechanism,per se, forms no part of our present invention.

The projected end 28 of the particular shaft portion 26 of the deliveryroller 25 projects into the casing 83 and into the hub portion of themain casting 96 of the coin mechanism, which is loosely and rotatablymounted thereupon. This projected end 28 has mounted thereupon to turntherewith a ratchet 97 which is adapted to be engaged by the spring helddog 98 pivoted u n the casing 96 and cooperating with t e said ratchetaid in such a manner as to cause rotation of the shaft portion 26 anddelivery roller in a directlon for effecting a discharge of a news aper,or other art cle to be vended, when t is said casting 96 is permitted tobe rotated in a manner soon to be described. The coin control casting 96also includes a shaft portion 99 which projects through and out of thecasing 83 to be engaged by the hand of the operator. The casing. 83 isprovided wlth a vert iv call disposed coin slotway 100 which is norma yin alignment with a similar slotway 101 rovided with a plurality ofscrew taps, see igure 15, for accommodating a screw 102 adapted to stopthe coins depos1ted into the slot 101 through the slotway 100 to preventthem falling entirely through the said slotway 101.

In this type of coin control mechanism,

provision is made for adjusting the mechanism for being controlled byvaried coin values, according to the value of the paper being vended,the idea being that the screw 102 rovides a stop for the coins so thatthe sing e coin deposited into the slotway 101, or the plurality ofcoins, will be so held within that slotway as to project thereabove, asis illustrated in Figure 15, in which two coins are shown as held withinthe said slot- I should be understood that the casting 96 is heldagainst rotation in the direction of the arrow on Figure 13 in themanner soon to be described, it being possible to so rotate this castingonly after the insertion of the proper amount of coins into the positionillustrated in Figure 15. For providing for this lock position of thesaid casting 96 and for the release thereof from such locked position bycoin engagement, we provide a release dog 103, which is formed as anintegral part of the look dog 104, which lies normally within the pathof rotation of the laterally projecting lug 105 of the casting 96 toprevent rotation thereof in the direction of the arrow on Figure 13. Themember 103-404 is pivoted upon a stud shaft 106 supported by the casing83 upon which is also pivoted a lock dog 107 which serves to preventrotation of the casting 96 in adirection op osite to that indicated bythe arrow on l igure 13. Both of the members 103-104 and 107 arespring-held and lug stopped to the normal positions illustrated inFigure 13 and in the manner there illustrated so that the casting 96 isnormally held against rotation in either direction, thus making itimpossible to turn the crank 99 to effect a discharge of the foremostnewspaper in the newspaper pack contained within the main casing.

A ratchet 108 is secured upon the crank shaft portion 99 of the. casting96 and a tion; By reference to Figures 13, 14 and 15, it will beobserved that when the proper coins have been inserted through the coinslotwa 100 into the slotway 101, as indicated in such Figure 15, thatthe operator may grasp the operating crank 99 and when movement isimparted to the castin 96 in the direction of the arrow indicate onFigure 13, the upwardly projecting portion of the uppermost coin willengage the release do 103 and efl'ect a rocking upward of the loc dog104 out of the path of rotation of the lug 105, thus permittin fullrotation of the casting 96 and permltting a complete rotation of thedelivery roller 25 by eilecting a discharge of the uppermost newspaperin the manner indicated in Figure 5. The ratchet and pawl connection108-109 functions to prevent backward rotation of the casting 96 by theoperator,

' such as would leave the machine out of the normal position illustratedin Figure 13, and makes it necessary for him to continue the forwardrotation of the castin until the parts are reset to the said normalposition.

It will be observed from Figures 10, 13 and 16 that the door 84 of thesupplemental casing 83 is provided with a strengthening barsubstantially conforming to the shape thereof and positioned centrallythereof and at the end of this strengtheningbar nearest adjacent thecoin slotway 100 of the casing 83, coin slotway restricting latches 110and 111 are pivoted thereto, as at 112. The strengthening bar issuitably cut out to provide for the movement of the heel portions 113formed on each of these latches and which said heel portions are adaptedto be engaged by the spring 114 which serves to hold them ,to eithertheir extended position or retracted position, the retracted position ofboth thereof being illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 of the drawings, andthe extended position of one and the retracted position of the otherbeing illustrated in the said Figure 16. The latches 110 and 111 serveto retract the coin passageway 100 of the casing 83 whenever that isdesired, as for example, when the machine is set for the insertion ofone, tWoor three pennies, at which time the said slotway may berestricted in the manner illustratedin Figure 16, it beingunderstood'that should it be desired to restrict the said slotway forthe insertion of dimes only, both latches 110111 would be adjusted tothe position in which the latch 110 is illustrated in that figure.

The casting 96 is formed to provide a centrallfy disposed grooveway 115,into which the n er 116, secured to the door 84, projects w en the partsare positioned as illus trated in Figure 13, in a manner whereby thesaid finger will strip the coin slotway 101 of any coins which mighthave a tendency to stick within that slotway for any reason, and tocause them to fall into the collectin tray 117. i

It wil also be observed that the casting 96 is so formed that thebalance of weight thereof is positioned at the side of the shaftextension 28 opposite the position of the slotway 101,so as to provide asort of counterweight action at the point indicated at 118 to normallyhold the said casting to the osition indicated in Figure 13 of thedrawings, that is,with the lug 105 in engagement with the lock dog 107and with the slotways 100--101 in perfect register one with the other.

We desire it to be understood that none of the mechanism hereindescribed, which is actuall a part of the coin control mechanism, ormsof itself a part of our present invention.

By preventing a forcing of the presser follower 56-57 into actualengagement with the delivery roller 25, through the action of the bellcrank levers 64 and springs 66, we provide adjustable stops 119, onedeposited upon each side wall 1 in position for having the adjustablescrew thereof engage the slide block 60 for the purpose men tioned.

It should be understood that after the coins control mechanism has beencoin released it is possible for the operator to rotate the same througha complete rotation before the parts reset themselves to the positionindicated in Figure 13, during which time the delivery roller 25 will,of course, be rotated through a complete rotation also. Thus theoutermost newspaper, or other article being vended, will be dischargedfrom the machine the distance dependent upon the contacting surface ofthe roller 25 and unless the roller is made of a very great diameter thenewspaper will only be partially discharged from the machine or adistance through the outlet of the machine sufficient to permit thepurchaser thereof to grasp the same and withdraw it from the machine theremainder of the way by hand, the ratchet connections 97-98 permittingsuch free ro tation of the roller as is necessary.

It will be'observed from Figure 10 that when the casing cover 10 isthrown up to the open position there shown the front door 8 may bereadily lowered to the horlzontal position illustrated in dotted lineson that figure, thus opening more than half of the front of the maincasing, making it possible for the person refilling the machine with apaper pack to jog the pack up and down upon this horizontally disposeddoor to bring all of the bottom edges thereof to the same plane and, thefront part of the casing being open it is very easy to insert the packinto position upon the receivin plate 18. It will be readily observedthat y reason of this construction perfect operation of the machine isfacilitated and all danger of improper discharge of the papers or cloging of the machine by reason of some of 51s papers of the pack beingcrowded up above the plane at which they rest upon the plate 18 isavoided, and also makin it more possible to insert the pack into t ecasing with all of the bottom edges on the same plane than would bepossible by inserting the pack by a downward motion through a dooropening only through the top of the casing.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, it is thought the complete construction,operation and advantages of our invention will be readily understood bythose skilled in the art.

What we claim is:

1. In a vending machine of the character described, a delivery mechanismarranged to grip the outermost one of a pack of papers at the lower endthereof, a presser follower comprising a rigid lower portion thatexert-s pressure against the paper pack in line with the deliverymechanism and a flexible upper portion that yieldingly sustains theupper portion of the paper pack in a vertical position, guideways at thesides of the machine, guides slidable along said guideways, andyieldable means connecting said guides with said rigid portion of thefollower whereby said follower may assume various positions in a planenormal to the pack to adapt itself to varying side-edge thicknesses ofthe pack and means exerting independent yielding pressures on saidguides in the direction of said delivery mechanism.

2. In a vending machine of the character described, in combination witha delivery mechanism arran ed to grip the outermost one of a pack 0papers at the lower end thereof; of a presser follower comprising alower portion adapted to exert pressure against the paper pack towardthe said delivery mechanism, and a flexible upper portion adapted toyie-ldably en age the paper pack to hold it erect, guides or guiding themovement of said follower, means for mounting said follower incooperation with said guides for permitting movement thereof in angularrelation with said delivery mechanism, bell crank levers for forcing thesaid presser follower toward the paper pack and for retracting saidpresser follower to permit refilling of the machine with a paper pack,springs for acting upon said levers for forcing the said follower towardthe paper pack, and a frame adapted to be hand moved to act 11 on saidlevers to effect aretracting of sai presser follower to permlt arefilling of the machine with a new paper pack. v

3. In a vending machine of the character described, in combination witha delivery mechanism arranged'to grip the outermost one of a pack ofpapers at the lower end thereof; of a presser follower comprising alower portion adapted to exert pressure against the paper pack towardthe said dclivery mechanism, a flexible upper portion adapted toyieldabl engage the paper pack to hold it erect, ui es for guiding themovement of said fo lower, means for mounting said follower incooperation with said guides for permittingmovement thereof in angularrelation with said delivery mechanism, bell crank levers for forcing thesaid presser follower toward the paper pack and for retracting saidpresser follower to permlt refilling of the machine with a paper pack,springs for acting upon said levers for forcing the said follower towardthe paper pack,

a frame adapted to act u on said levers to efiect a retracting of saipresser follower to permit a refilllng of the machine with a new pa erpack, and a toggle lever and link connection adapted to be hand operatedfor moving said frame and for locking the same to the position effectingfull retraction of said presser follower.

4. In a vending machine of the character described, in combination witha delivery mechanism arranged to grip the outermost one of a pack ofpapers at the lower end thereof; of a presser follower comprising alower portion adapted to exert pressure against the paper pack towardthe said delivery mechanism, and a flexible upper portion adapted toyieldably engage the paper pack to hold it erect, guide blocks connectedwith said presser follower by a vertical axls pivot, guide rails forguiding said blocks, and means for engaging said blocks for effecting acontinuous forcing of the presser follower toward the paper pack whenthe machine is in operation and for retracting said presser follower topermit refilling of the machine with a paper pack.

5. In a vending machine of the character described, in combination witha delivery mechanism arranged to grip the outermost one of a pack ofpapers at the lower end thereof; of a presser follower comprising alower ortion adapted to exert pressure against tie paper pack toward thesaid delivery mechanism, a flexible upper portion adapted to yieldablyengage the paper pack to hold it erect, guide blocks connected with saidpresser follower by a vertical axis pivot, guide rails for guiding saidblocks, bell crank levers for engaging said blocks for forcing saidpresser follower toward said paper pack and for retracting said presserfollower to permit refilling of the machine with a paper pack springsfor acting upon said levers for effecting the forcing functionthereof, aframe adapted to act upon said levers for efl'ectin the retractingfunction thereof, and togg e lever and link connections for moving saidframe and for locking the same to the position effecting fullretraction-of said presser follower.

6. In a vending machine of the character described, in combination witha delivery mechanism arranged to grip the outermost one of a pack ofpapers at the lower end thereof; of a presser follower comprising alower portion adapted to exert pressure against the paper pack towardthe said delivery mechanism, a flexible upper portion adapted toyieldably en a e the paper pack to hold it erect, guide b oclrsconnected with said presser follower by a vertical axis pivot, guiderails for guiding said blocks, bell crank levers for engaging saidblocks for forcing said presser follower toward said paper pack and forretracting said presser follower to permit refilling of the machine witha paper pack, springs for acting upon said levers for efi'ecting theforcing function thereof, a frame adapted to act upon said levers foreffecting the retracting function thereof, toggle lever and linkconnections for moving said frame and for lockin the same to theposition efiecting full retraction of said resser follower, andadjustable stops for imiting movement of said presser follower to apoint just short of engagement with said delivery mechanism.

7. In a" vending machine of the character described, a deliverymechanism arranged to grip the outermost one of a pack of papers at thelower end thereof, a presser follower comprising a rigid lower portionthat exerts pressure against the paper pack in line with the deliverymechanism and a flexible upper portion that yieldingly sustains'theupper portion of the paper pack in a vertical position, guideways at thesides of the machine, guides slidable along said guideways, yieldablemeans connecting said guides with said rigid portion of the followerwhereby said follower may assume various positions in a plane normal tothe pack to adapt itself to varying side-edge thicknesses of the pack,means exerting independent yielding pressures on said guides 1n thedirection of said delivery mechanism, and a single means adapted to bebrought into connection with 4 throatway therebetween; guides for saidplate, a rock shaft, levers on said rock shaft connected with said platefor moving the same in its plane, said rock shaft being lg cated belowtheplate, an operating lever on said rock shaft extending toward thepack of the machine, a pointer pivoted on the back of the machine, alink connecting said pointer with said operating lever. and a notchedarc plate adapted to receive the pointer and hold it in its adjustedposition, said are plate having indicating marks associated with saidnotches to indicate the amount of delivery opening of the machine.

9. A machine of the class described, comprising a casing for providing apaper pack receiving compartment, 21 delivery mechanism within saidcasing, a plate for receiving the pack of newspapers to be vended andada ted to cooperate with said delivery mec anism to provide a dischargethroatway therebetween, crank and lever devices for moving said plate tovary the dimensions of said discharge throatway, a presser follower forforcing the paper pack toward the delivery mechanism, slides for guidingmovement of said presser follower, and means for pivotally mounting saidpresser follower in cooperation with said slides for permitting angularmovement thereof with relation to the delivery mechanism.

10. A machine of the class described comprising a casing for providing apaper pack receiving compartment, a delivery mechanism within saldcasing, a plate for receiving the pack of newspapers to be vended andadapted to cooperate with said delivery mechanism to provide a dischargethroatway therebetwe'en, crank and lever devices for moving said plateto vary. the dimensions of said discharge throatway, a presser followerfor forcing the paper pack toward the delivery mechanism, slides forguiding movement of said presser follower, means for pivotally mountingsaid presser follower in cooperation with said slldes for permittingangular movement thereof with relation to the delivery mechanism, bellcrank lever and spring devices for continuously forcing the said presserfollower toward the delivery mechanism, toggle lever and frame devicesfor retracting the presser follower and for locking the same to itsretracted position.

11. A machine of the class described comprising a casing for providing apaper pack receiving compartment, a delivery mechanism within saidcasing, a plate for receiving the pack of newspapers to be vended andadapted to cooperate with said delivery mechanism to provide a dischargethroatway therebetween, crank and lever devices for moving said plate tovary the dimensions of said discharge throatway, a presser follower forforcing the paper pack toward the delivery mechanism, slides for guidingmovement of said presser follower, means for pivotally mounting saidpresser follower in cooperatlon with said slides for permitting angularmovement thereof with relation to the delivery mechanism, bell cranklevers and spring devices for continuously forcing the said presserfollower toward the delivery mechanism, toggle lever and frame devicesfor retracting the presser follower and for locking the same to itsretracted position, side guards preventing contact of the newspaper packwith the presser follower forcing means, and adjustable stops forregulating the closeness of final cooperative relation of presserfollower and delivery mechanism.

12. In a vending machine, a receptacle for holding the papers in bulk,said receptacle including a hinged top and a hinged front sectionadapted to be let down into a horizontal position when the top is open,means for holding said front portion in the horizontal position, saidreceptacle having a discharge throat that extends below the lower frontend of the receptacle, said receptacle including an adjustable bottom,and a flexible guide platevin said throat cooperating with saidadjustable bottom, means for feeding the paper paok forwardly and meansfor discharging the papers one at a time through said throat.

13. In a paper vending machine wherein is provided a housing to containpapers in pack form, and means for delivering papers out of the housing;a presser follower for engaging the pack and forcing the same toward thedelivery means, said follower including a presser bar, end guides forsaid bar, flexible connections between said guides and the bar ends, andmeans for applying yielding pressures to said guides for forcing themforward.

14. In a paper vending machine wherein is provided a housing to containpapers in pack form, means for delivering papers out of the housing; apresser follower for engaging the pack and forcing the same toward thedelivery means, said follower including a presser bar, end guides forsaid bar, flexible connections between said guides and the bar ends,means for applying yielding pressures to said guides for forcing themforward, and a back plate carried bysaid bar to project up and sustainthe pack vertically.

15. 111 a paper vending machine wherein is provided a housing to containpapers in pack form, means for delivering papers out of the housing; apresser follower for en gaging the pack and forcing the same toward the.delivery means, said follower including a presser bar, end guides forsaid bar, flexible connections between said guides and the bar ends,means for applying yielding pres sures to said guides for forcing themforward, means to withdraw said follower from the pack against theaction of said pressure applying means, and means to hold the followerwithdrawn.

16. In a paper vending machine wherein is provided a housing to containpapers in pack form, means for delivering papers outof the housing; apresser follower for engaging the pack and forcing the same toward thedelivery means, said follower including a presser bar, end guides forsaid bar, flexible connections between said guides and the bar ends,means for applying yielding pressures to said guides for forcing themforward, means to withdraw said follower from the pack against theaction of said pressure applying means, means to hold the followerwithdrawn, said holding means including a toggle device.

17. In a vending machine of the type having a housing, a bottom restplate, a feed roll and -a presser follower for advancing the papers tothe feed roll; said presser follower comprising a rigid bottom bar and aflexible back plate secured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom,guide rails at each side of the housing, running front to back and lyingin a horizontal plane in substantial alignment with the axis of saidroll, slide members mounted on said rails, a yieldable connectionbetween said follower bar and each of said slide members whereby saidslide members may move independently of one another to advance andretract the bar, two sets of hell crank levers mounted on the casing,one of said levers engaging one slide member and the other engaging theother slide member, springs connecting with said levers for exertingcontinuous pressure on said slide members in one direction to advancethe follower, and means normally out of engagement with said bell cranklevers and adapted to be brought into engagement with the same formoving them against spring tension to retract the follower, and meansfor holding said last named means with the follower in the retractedposition.

DAVID H. STEWART. GEORGE W. NELSON.

